As College of Computing faculty and staff gathered for a group portrait in spring 2025, there were multiple other occasions to celebrate following an eventful academic year. View commencement highlights, learn about new programs and facilities, take a peek at our annual computational art exhibit, and get an onstage view of three of our own who took major roles in Michigan Tech's annual theatrical production.
In the portrait, seated, from left, are: Linda Ott, Sherry Wyeth, Dennis Livesay, Paniz Hazaveh. Standing, from left, are: Stella Otoo, Koloud Al Khamaiseh, Laura Brown, Charles Wallace, Yakov Nekrich, Leo Ureel, Scott Kuhl, Nilufer Onder, Michael Walker, Bo Chen, Timothy Havens, Janna Chittick, Scott Pomerville, Soner Onder, Keith Vertanen, Zhenlin Wang, Gorkem Asilioglu, Sujan Kumar Roy, Jean Mayo, Vicky Roy, Kay Burns Oliver, Nader Abu-Alrub, Kristi Hauswirth, Yu Cai, Timothy Van Wagner, Ronghua Xu, Nathir Rawashdeh, Weihua Zhou, Daniel Fuhrmann, Todd Arney. Not pictured: Briana Bettin, Amna Mazen, Guy Hembroff, Denise Landsberg, Ali Ebnenasir, Robert Pastel, Dylan Gaines, Xinyu Lei, Ashraf Saleem, Serein Al-Ratrout, Aleksandr Sergeyev, Victoria Walters, Jianhui Yue, Ruihong Zhang.
Data Science Grad Tabasum Hamdard Delivers Spring Commencement Address
Tabasum Hamdard came to Michigan Tech without knowing anyone and leaves with her master's degree in data science and unforgettable memories.
Hamdard, who was selected to share her message as the Class of 2025's graduate student speaker during Spring Commencement exercises, earned her bachelor's degree in information technology at American University of Afghanistan in Kabul and started her career in the business sector. But as she began pursuing an MBA, she realized her approach wasn't adding up.
"I wanted something more analytical," she said, "something that would let me ask deeper questions and actually understand how things work—to get to the 'why' of it, not just manage them."
As she considered relocating to the US, the pieces came together. Hamdard decided to concentrate her studies more heavily in the field of computing.
"I've loved math since high school, and the more I learned about data science, the more it felt like the right fit," she said. "It brought together everything I was looking for: the structure of math, the curiosity of problem-solving, and the potential to make an impact."
In addition to her master's degree, she earned a graduate certificate in applied statistics. Hamdard held positions in the University's Graduate School, Michigan Tech Summer Youth Programs, and on the editorial board of Infinite Loop, the College of Computing's student-led undergraduate journal.
Hamdard, who serves as Michigan Tech's ambassador for Women in Data Science Worldwide, said starting over in a completely new environment was her biggest challenge. She overcame the obstacle by finding the courage to reach out and accept help. "I realized I didn't have to carry everything alone and that was one of the most important lessons I learned during my time here," said Hamdard, who experienced several firsts, from camping to viewing the northern lights.
"I came here not knowing what to expect, and found more than I could have planned for."
New Scholarship for Computer Science Students from Rural Michigan
The Leinweber Foundation has established a $30,000 scholarship at Michigan Tech. The Leinweber Software Scholars program will provide financial awards to students from rural Michigan counties who are majoring in computer science in Tech's College of Computing.
"As a founder of a software business who came from humble beginnings, my father understands the transformative impact a scholarship can have for rural students pursuing tech careers, particularly in the State of Michigan," said Ashley Leinweber, vice president of the Leinweber Foundation. Her father, Larry, grew up on a farm in Osceola County, Michigan, and went on to become a software entrepreneur. The Michigan-based family foundation he established in 2015 focuses on advancing research, education, and community initiatives.
With a goal to expand Michigan's tech talent pipeline, the foundation previously established Leinweber Software Scholars scholarship programs at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.
"We are grateful to the Leinweber Foundation for this gift to Michigan Tech," said Michigan Tech Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Bill Roberts. "We look forward to partnering with the Leinweber Foundation to help them achieve their goals of building up the next generation of software engineers and entrepreneurs in our state."
MTU rising second-year students from a rural Michigan county with a desire to work in the software industry in Michigan can apply for a scholarship through this program immediately. Two computer science students will be selected each year, building to a cohort of six students. Scholarship recipients will receive a $10,000 scholarship per year for up to three years.
"I am so appreciative of the support from the Leinweber Foundation," said Dennis Livesay, Dave House Dean of Computing at Michigan Tech. "It's really special when priorities align, and we are both passionate about growing the number of software engineering and computer science majors from Michigan."
This Graduation Celebration is All in The Husky Family
At Michigan Tech's Midyear Commencement in December, cybersecurity major Abby Jurewicz graduated with nearly 100 Huskies in the College of Computing's Class of 2024. For her, the milestone was both a personal accomplishment and the continuance of a cherished family tradition.
Jurewicz's parents are both Tech grads. Mom Amy Jurewicz earned her bachelor's in business administration in 1994. Dad Jeff Jurewicz graduated in 1995 with a bachelor's in mining engineering.
"The most fun part of my university journey was learning more about my likes and dislikes as well as meeting a lot of cool people!" said Jurewicz.
"Graduating with my degree in cybersecurity here feels exciting since I gained so many hands-on opportunities and saw all the different sides to cybersecurity."
For her Senior Design project, Jurewicz and fellow team member Hriteesh Haridas researched RFID integration—specifically looking at a method for adding student ID cards to a personal phone, allowing easier entry to the facilities Huskies need to access.
Jurewicz, who hails from Yorkville, Illinois, is grateful to all those who were there for her while she pursued her degree.
"I would have never made it through school without my family and Up North family cheering me on and pushing me to keep going—also a lot of caffeine," said Jurewicz, who isn't finished with her educational endeavors as a College of Computing Husky.
"I'm excited about the future as I pursue my master's in health informatics here at Tech and go in a more focused direction in my education," she said.
As the spring 2025 semester came to a close, Jurewicz was at work on her thesis. If all goes as planned, this Husky will soon be crossing the commencement stage again.
"I'm enjoying it greatly and have been learning a lot of interesting things," she said.
Paving the Way for a Shared Facility
In October, the Michigan Tech Board of Trustees approved a $30 million capital funding request to the State of Michigan to support construction of the Center for Convergence and Innovation (CCI)—a $56 million project that will co-house the College of Computing and the College of Business.
In preparation for the CCI, Michigan Tech has launched three new centers of excellence specializing in the topics of business artificial intelligence, economic and business analytics, and curriculum and research in accounting and financial technology.
"The centers of excellence have catalyzed collaboration between computing and business faculty," said Dean Johnson, dean of the College of Business. "They are now regularly engaging with each other, which will set us up for future collaborations."
CCI is envisioned as a collaborative facility in the academic core of campus that encourages shared cutting-edge research, workforce development, and strategic partnerships to position Michigan and the state economy as a leader in digital transformation.
MTU Offers New Certificate to Address Cybersecurity Talent Gap
The global cybersecurity employment gap reached 4 million workers in 2023, according to a cybersecurity workforce study by ISC2, the International Information System Security Certification Consortium. The World Economic Forum estimates that the gap could expand to 85 million by 2030.
To help train more cybersecurity professionals, Michigan Tech's College of Computing is offering a certificate in the Foundations of Cybersecurity, available both in person and online. In the 9-credit course, students learn to identify and describe the foundational principles of securing computer systems and computer networks. They'll also learn to effectively apply the fundamentals of secure software development.
Tech is also now offering a fully online version of the cybersecurity master's degree.
Art in Silico
These art pieces are among the more than 30 works by campus and community artists submitted to the 2025 Art in Silico computational art exhibition. The exhibition was preceded by an event series that included public workshops and a talk by keynote speaker and Michigan Tech Associate Professor of Digital Media Sarah Bell, author of Vox ex Machina: A Cultural History of Talking Machines.
Data Science Programs Expand to Meet Demand
Huskies began coursework for Michigan Tech's new environmental data science bachelor's degree program in fall 2024. The College of Computing is a collaborator in the new degree, which is housed in the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science.
Laura Brown, associate dean of data science initiatives in the College of Computing and director of Tech's data science master's and bachelor's degree programs, said the possibilities for crosscollaboration and customization are as limitless as data itself.
"Now that we have all of this data to help us understand the world, we have to think about how we collect it, process it, manage it, and how we can model the world with it to ultimately lead to insights and new knowledge," said Brown. "Not everyone is going to major in data science, but I firmly believe that everyone on this campus could take a data science course and benefit from it."
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
The casting of Michigan Tech's visual and performing arts department's spring production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street put College of Computing members in the spotlight at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts. One professor and two mechatronics majors played lead roles. Bravo!
Michigan Technological University is an R1 public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan's flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
